Finally Got A Qt!!!!

[Slickdonkey]

thanks guys, i think i finally understand what i am doing !

Hmmm, well I guess you've got one up on me then. Hope everything works out for the best.

 

[balogh03]

okay...so i wouldnt take it as far as everything that i am doing , but i think that i am alot closer.:lol:

 

[steve-s]

if i use the water from my tank(because that is about an average water change) it should be fine to put the fish in, just do a nice acclimation, and then continue with treatment everything should be fine....right?

Water carries nothing useful in terms of helping a tank cycle. If you needed a quick means of transfering a fish out of the main then using that water would be just fine. Since this is not an immediate need, you can still use the water from the main but do not transfer the fish for a week ot two. Transfer some sort of hard surface material that has been in your main for a few weeks instead. Floss, carbon, bioballs etc. These are items that will also transfer the needed bacteria to keep ammonia at bay which is by and large you largest concern. If you have a HOB with a biowheel I would highly recommend that as well. Also be aware that anything the main tank carries will be transfered to the QT. Since these fish are coming from there no worries. With an new incomming fish/animal, it's best to use newly prepared water.

Feed the tank lightly every few days as an ammonia source to build on the bacteria you've transfered from the main. After about a week or so you'll be able to tell if the biofilter is working well enough and ready for the fish. You can actually dilute the water in the QT from the get go if you like. This will allow the bacteria time to recover and you time to get a handle on the possible alk/pH issues before adding the fish.